Toilet

ABSTRACT

A jet-type toilet that includes a toilet bowl, a plenum chamber and a discharge trap in fluid communication with the toilet bowl and plenum chamber, wherein the discharge trap includes a rising first portion extending in an upwardly direction away from a bottom portion of the bowl, a forward sloping second portion extending from the first portion back toward the bottom portion of the bowl and a horizontal extending third portion extending from a lower end of the second portion and having an outlet at an end thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 60/658,261, filed Mar. 3, 2005 and is a Continuation in Part of United States Design Application No. 29/224,505, filed Mar. 3, 2005, both of which applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to toilets and, more particularly, to a jet-type toilet bowl of the type that discharges waste by a siphoning action.

2. Description of Related Art

The jet-type toilet bowls, particularly the double weir jet-type toilet bowls, are well known in the art and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,325 to Arita et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,413 to Hayashi et al. In the double weir jet-type toilet bowls, a water discharge trap is used to discard the waste down a drain. The discharge trap typically has a rising flow channel extending upwardly from a bottom of the bowl toward a back end of the toilet and a descending channel extending substantially at a right angle from an upper end of the rising channel, thus defining a first weir at the upper end. The discharge trap is also provided with a cross-laid channel extending from a lower end of the descending channel toward a front end of the toilet in a transverse direction. The cross-laid channel has an upwardly bent portion thus forming a second weir so as to form a water seal before a discharge opening, which opens in a vertical direction.

The prior art double weir jet-type toilet designs generally have a large base (often referred to as a footprint), thereby contributing to the increased weight of the toilet. It is advantageous to have a double weir jet-type toilet that has less weight (i.e., shorter footprint), which generally results in higher production yields due to less breakage of the unfired ceramic toilets during the manufacturing process and is easier to be installed by installers because of the toilet's lighter weight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a jet-type toilet that includes a bowl and a discharge trap in fluid communication with the bowl and formed continuously at a bottom portion of the bowl. The discharge trap includes a first portion defining an inlet and extending upwardly and away from the bottom portion of the bowl. The discharge trap also includes a forwardly sloping second portion extending downwardly from the first portion back toward the bottom portion of the bowl. Additionally, the discharge trap includes a third portion extending substantially horizontally from a lower end of the second portion toward the bottom portion of the bowl. Furthermore, the discharge trap includes an outlet defined at an end of the third portion.

The toilet includes a first weir formed at an upper end of the first portion of the discharge trap. The third portion is bent upwardly to form a second weir at an upper end of the third portion. The second portion of the discharge trap is angled approximately 15°-40° with respect to a vertical axis extending along a rear-most end of the second portion. Preferably, the second portion may be angled about 20°-25° with respect to the vertical axis extending along the rear-most end of the second portion. However, it is to be understood that these angles are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

The toilet includes a bent portion defined between the second portion and the third portion, wherein a rear portion of a support leg extends from an underside of the bent portion. The support leg defines a periphery of base of the toilet. A plenum chamber is disposed rearward of the bowl. The plenum chamber extends rearwardly past the rear portion of the support leg. The bowl extends past a front portion of the support leg. The toilet may include a toilet tank in fluid communication with the plenum chamber for supplying water to the plenum chamber. The toilet bowl and discharge trap may be constructed of ceramic, however, it is to be understood that any suitable material may be utilized.

The toilet may also include a rim surrounding the bowl. The rim defines a rim flow path in fluid communication with the plenum chamber. The rim also defines a plurality of holes in fluid communication with the bowl and the rim flow path, whereby when a volume of water passes through the plenum chamber, a portion of the water passes through the rim flow path exiting the rim holes into the bowl. The toilet also includes a first downwardly sloping water jet path extending from the plenum chamber towards a bottom portion of the bowl. The first water jet path is in fluid communication with the plenum chamber and the bowl. The toilet also includes a second downwardly sloping water jet path extending from the plenum chamber towards the bottom portion of the bowl. The second water jet path is in fluid communication with the plenum chamber and bowl. Accordingly, the first water jet path is diametrically opposed to the second water jet path. The first water jet path and the second water jet path are in fluid communication with a water jet exit configured to direct a single jet of water towards the bottom portion of the bowl and the inlet of the discharge trap. The toilet further includes a first downwardly sloping water jet path extending from the plenum chamber towards a bottom portion of the bowl, such that the first water jet path is in fluid communication with the plenum chamber and the bowl.

The toilet includes a bowl having a bottom portion, a means for supplying a jet of water to the bottom portion of said bowl, and a means for discharging water from the bottom portion of the bowl.

The present invention also includes a method for flushing a toilet, which may utilize the toilet of the present invention. The method includes the step of providing water to a jet path that directs the water to the bottom portion of the bowl. Then, the water is passed from the bottom portion of the bowl towards a discharge trap for discharging the water from the bowl. Thereafter, the water is passed through the discharge trap by first passing the water upwardly and away from the bottom portion, then directing the water downwardly and forwardly towards the bottom portion of the bowl, and then passing the water substantially horizontally from the lower portion of the bowl. A support leg may also be provided to support the toilet on a supporting surface. A portion of the discharge trap extends rearwardly of the support leg and a portion of the bowl extends forwardly of the support leg.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be understood from the description of the preferred embodiments, taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a toilet taken along section lines I-I in FIG. 3 made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a water jet flow path of the toilet shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the toilet made in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a toilet made in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of the description hereinafter, spatial or directional terms shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific components illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the present invention provides for a toilet 10 having a front end 12 and a back end 14 and includes a toilet bowl 16, a plenum chamber 18 and a discharge trap 20, wherein the plenum chamber 18 is fluidly coupled to the discharge trap 20 via a water jet flow path P and a rim flow path R. The bowl 16 having a bowl surface 22 includes a rim 24 having a plurality of holes 26 defined therein, whereby flushing water is supplied to the bowl surface 22. The bowl 16 also includes a bottom portion 28 in fluid communication with the discharge trap 20, wherein the contents (including the water) flows from bowl surface 22 to the bottom portion 28 and into the discharge trap 20.

The discharge trap 20 having an upper end 30 and a lower end 32 and defining a rising first portion 34, a forwardly sloping second portion 36 and a horizontal extending third portion 38 includes an inlet 44 and an outlet 46. The inlet 44 is positioned at the bottom portion 28 of the bowl 16, and the outlet 46 is fluidly coupled to a drain (not shown). The rising first portion 34 of the discharge trap 20 extends upwardly and away from the bottom portion 28 towards the back end 14 of the toilet 10, and the forwardly sloping second portion 36 extends from the upper end 30 of the first portion 34 back toward the front end 12 of the toilet 10, thereby defining a sloping angle A. The sloping angle A of the second portion 36 of the discharge trap 20 can range from approximately 15°-40°, and preferably about 20°-25° with respect to an imaginary vertical line V. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the first portion 34 is substantially parallel to the second portion 36. A first weir 48 is defined at the upper end 30 of the first portion 34 of the discharge trap 20, wherein the flow of water passing over the first weir 48 falls downwardly through the sloping second portion 36 and into the horizontal extending third portion 38 of the discharge trap 20. The horizontal extending third portion 38 extends from a lower end 32 of the second portion 36 toward the front end 12 of the toilet 10 in a transverse direction. The third portion 38 having a first end 40 and a second end 42 defines an upwardly bent part 50 and a downwardly bent part 52, wherein the outlet 46 at the second end 42 thereof opens in a vertical direction. A second weir 54, defined at an apex of the upwardly bent part 50 and the downwardly bent part 52, forms a gathered water part W, typically containing a pool of water 300 shown in phantom, positioned below the second portion 36 at the lower end 32 of the discharge trap 20. Typically, the toilet bowl 16 and the first portion 34 of the discharge trap 20 Will have a water level 200 (shown in phantom).

Referring to FIG. 1, the toilet 10 also includes a plurality of support legs 56 positioned at a base 58 of the toilet 10. The area covered by the support leg 56 forms a footprint F. Because the second portion 36 of the discharge trap 20 slopes toward the front end 12 of the toilet 10, the footprint has a smaller size compared to the prior art toilets, wherein a portion of the discharge trap extends substantially vertically from a back end of the prior art toilet designs, thus resulting in a larger footprint. The smaller footprint F provides for a lighter weight toilet which results in higher production yields during the manufacturing process due to less breakage of unfired ceramic toilets.

In operation, water supplied from a toilet tank 100 (shown in phantom in FIGS. 1 and 4) on the back end 14 of the toilet 10 passes through an inlet port 60 and into the plenum chamber 18 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) such as, by example, flushing using a standard flapper valve with a handle. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a portion of the water (e.g., about 90%) from the plenum chamber 18 passes through passageways 63 (shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) on both the left and right sides of the toilet (only one is shown in FIG. 1 passing along the left side of the toilet), thus following the jet water path P into the inlet 44 of the discharge trap 20. Referring to FIG. 2, the jet water path P includes two diametrically opposed paths P1 and P2, wherein each path P1, P2 transverses around the bowl 16 while decreasing in elevation and meets at a junction point J thus exiting into the bottom portion 28. The two diametrically opposed paths P1 and P2 result in a uniform flow of water into the bottom portion 28 thus furthering the production of siphoning. Referring to FIG. 1, a portion of the water (e.g., about 10%) from the plenum chamber 18 also follows the rim flow path R and into the rim 24 of the bowl 16 via passageway 62. The water then passing through the rim holes 26 onto the bowl surface 22 and exits at the bottom portion 28 of the bowl 16. At the same time water is flowing from the bowl surface 22 to the bottom portion 28, water is rapidly flowing down the jet water paths P1 and P2 and passes through the bottom portion 28 of the bowl 16, thus carrying the contents in the bottom portion 28 into the inlet 44 of the discharge trap 20. The flushed water enters the first portion 34 of the discharge trap 20 and passes over the first weir 48 and into the second portion 36 and, upon reaching the lower end 32, resistance is created, thus promoting the filing of the trap with water and the start of the siphoning. More specifically, the flushed water coming from the second portion 36 contacts the gathered water part W contained in the lower end 32 of the discharge trap 20, which causes the flow velocity of the water to slow down and assist in siphoning. The water continues to flow and passes over the second weir 54 and into the outlet 46 of the discharge trap 20.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. The presently preferred embodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof. 

1. A toilet comprising: a bowl; a discharge trap in fluid communication with said bowl and formed continuously at a bottom portion of the bowl, wherein the discharge trap comprises: a first portion defining an inlet and extending upwardly and away from the bottom portion of the bowl; a forwardly sloping second portion extending downwardly from the first portion back toward the bottom portion of the bowl; a third portion extending substantially horizontally from a lower end of the second portion toward the bottom portion of the bowl; and an outlet defined at an end of the third portion.
 2. The toilet of claim 1, further comprising a first weir formed at an upper end of the first portion.
 3. The toilet of claim 2, wherein the third portion is bent upwardly to form a second weir at an upper end of the third portion.
 4. The toilet of claim 3, wherein the second portion is angled approximately 150°-40° with respect to a vertical axis extending along a rear-most end of the second portion.
 5. The toilet of claim 3, wherein the second portion is angled about 20°-25° with respect to a vertical axis extending along a rear-most end of the second portion.
 6. The toilet of claim 3, further comprising a bent portion defined between the second portion and the third portion, wherein a rear portion of a support leg extends from an underside of the bent portion.
 7. The toilet of claim 6, wherein the support leg defines a periphery of a base of the toilet.
 8. The toilet of claim 7, further comprising a plenum chamber disposed rearward of the bowl.
 9. The toilet of claim 8, wherein the plenum chamber extends rearwardly past the rear portion of the support leg.
 10. The toilet of claim 9, wherein the bowl extends past a front portion of the support leg.
 11. The toilet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toilet bowl and discharge trap comprise ceramic.
 12. The toilet as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a rim surrounding the bowl, the rim defining a rim flow path in fluid communication with the plenum chamber and the rim defining a plurality of holes in fluid communication with the bowl and the rim flow path, whereby when a volume of water passes through the plenum chamber, a portion of the water passes through the rim flow path exiting the rim holes into the bowl.
 13. The toilet as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a first downwardly sloping water jet path extending from the plenum chamber towards a bottom portion of the bowl, the first water jet path in fluid communication with the plenum chamber and the bowl.
 14. The toilet as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a second downwardly sloping water jet path extending from the plenum chamber towards the bottom portion of the bowl, the second water jet path in fluid communication with the plenum chamber and bowl, wherein the first water jet path is diametrically opposed to the second water jet path.
 15. The toilet as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first water jet path and the second water jet path are in fluid communication with a water jet exit configured to direct a single jet of water towards the bottom portion of the bowl and the inlet of the discharge trap.
 16. A toilet as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a toilet tank in fluid communication with the plenum chamber for supplying water to the plenum chamber.
 17. The toilet as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a first downwardly sloping water jet path extending from the plenum chamber towards a bottom portion of the bowl, the first water jet path in fluid communication with the plenum chamber and the bowl.
 18. A toilet comprising: a bowl having a bottom portion; a means for supplying a jet of water to the bottom portion of said bowl; and a means for discharging water from the bottom portion of the bowl.
 19. A method for flushing a toilet, wherein the toilet comprises: a bowl; and a discharge trap in fluid communication with said bowl and formed continuously at a bottom portion of the bowl, wherein the discharge trap comprises: a first portion defining an inlet and extending upwardly and away from the bottom portion of the bowl; a forwardly sloping second portion extending downwardly from the first portion back toward the bottom portion of the bowl; a third portion extending substantially horizontally from a lower end of the second portion toward the bottom portion of the bowl; and an outlet defined at an end of the third portion, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing water to a jet path that directs the water to the bottom portion of the bowl; b. passing the water from the bottom portion of the bowl towards a discharge trap for discharging the water from the bowl; and c. passing the water through the discharge trap by first passing the water upwardly and away from the bottom portion then directing the water downwardly and forwardly towards the bottom portion of the bowl and then passing the water substantially horizontally from the lower portion of the bowl.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of providing a support leg for supporting the toilet on a supporting surface, wherein a portion of the discharge trap extends rearwardly of the support leg and a portion of the bowl extends forwardly of the support leg. 